By Adegbaju Temitope
Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the grant of prerogative of mercy to 77 convicts across correctional facilities in the state as part of activities marking the 2026 New Year celebrations.
The approval followed recommendations by the Ondo State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy and was granted on January 1, 2026, in line with the governor’s commitment to rehabilitative justice and humane governance.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, who chairs the Advisory Council, said the beneficiaries were carefully selected after a thorough review process.
According to him, the council considered several factors, including the nature of offences committed, length of time already served, conduct and behaviour while in custody, age, health condition, level of rehabilitation, prospects of reintegration into society, as well as reports from correctional and legal authorities.
Ajulo explained that after due consideration of the recommendations, Governor Aiyedatiwa approved the list of beneficiaries, stressing that the decision reflected a balance between justice, accountability and compassion.
Under the approved measures, 12 convicts were granted outright release, having demonstrated exemplary conduct and served substantial portions of their sentences.
Death sentences of 22 condemned inmates were commuted to life imprisonment or fixed jail terms, while life sentences were reduced to 25 years for four inmates, 20 years for 14 inmates, 15 years for 15 inmates and 10 years for six inmates.
In addition, four inmates had their sentences commuted to lesser terms of imprisonment.
The Attorney General described the governor’s action as a compassionate and forward-looking gesture that prioritises rehabilitation over punishment, noting that it would help decongest correctional facilities and restore hope to inmates willing to reform.
He added that the exercise reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to justice sector reforms and the belief that the correctional system should provide opportunities for redemption and reintegration into society.
